Turkey Limping, any ideas or suggestions?

[buschkn]

New poster here but I have gotten good info from you helpful people before by reading various threads! We have a 6-7mo pet turkey named Terrence. He is very friendly and laid back. I don't know what kind he is but he is dark brown like a wild turkey. He's pretty big and heavy now. He lives with one duck and three chickens. They have a big run and then a coop at night that is a house we built about 3' x 8' and not quite tall enough to stand up in for a person. There are two heat lamps in there and the food and water. He has been limping for a couple weeks now. At first a few weeks ago I didn't really think he was limping but my husband did, then he seemed normal again so I forgot about it. Now for the last week he has been limping and it is getting a lot worse. He otherwise seems to be acting normal although his feathers look like hell, they are all ratty and gross on his belly and tail. It has been VERY wet and muddy here this winter so I wondered if it was from being in the mud, and the way he walks it looks to me like it's his foot that bothers him. But the coop has shavings that we add to and clean out regularly so except where they spill their water it stays quite dry. The chickens has a pole they roost on, the turkey and duck just hunker down in the bedding from what we've seen.

I have examined his foot and leg thoroughly twice. I don't see any swelling, sores, cuts, scabs, foreign bodies, deformities, areas that seem tender when I push on them, etc. When my husband gets back tomorrow I can have him help me examine further up as I have been reading on here for other ideas. Would really appreciate any suggestions. Maybe I should make him stay in the coop 24/7 for a while to not be in the mud? But he will definitely be MAD at me for that! Or a crate? Or or or? He is NOT for food, strictly a pet, so please do not suggest butchering him, although I understand that sentiment I do. I just would like to help him get better. The chickens give us eggs, the duck and Terrence are just our buddies. They have water all the time, and eat "Meat bird crumbles" from Rural King. I don't remember if it is medicated, I think it is 22% protein. Thanks for reading my book, appreciate any suggestions or ideas!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Is he a broad breasted? Turkeys definitely don't need extra heat. Mine choose to sleep outside in winter on many nights. They are very cold hearty.

 

[buschkn]

I don't know about broad breasted. Aren't those white? He looks like a normal wild dark brown turkey.

 

[azygous]

You didn't mention examining the bottoms of his feet for cuts, swelling, scabs, and leg mites on his scales. Look at the toe nails to see if any are hanging loose as that can certainly cause limping.

How about frost bite? If you'd add your general location to your profile, I would be able to pretty much assume freezing temps or not.

 

[buschkn]

I did mention above that I thoroughly examined his foot and leg, bottom to top. No swelling sores messed up nails etc. We are in KY. There were some very cold icy days in November but none since really. Mostly above freezing and lots of rain and mud lately.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I don't know about broad breasted. Aren't those white? He looks like a normal wild dark brown turkey.

There is a broad breasted bronze. Heritage varieties generally only get to 25 or so pounds. Broad breasted can get 50 plus. They often have leg problems due to all that weight that's why I'm asking, that and you mentioned he was large.

 

[buschkn]

There is a broad breasted bronze. Heritage varieties generally only get to 25 or so pounds. Broad breasted can get 50 plus. They often have leg problems due to all that weight that's why I'm asking, that and you mentioned he was large.

Uh Oh. How do I find out? He's pretty big/heavy. How quickly do they get that big? I tried to google photos but can't really tell so far from the pics I'm finding. I hope he's not if it means I have to kill him! He's a really cool guy but definitely really big.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You could try weighting him. Generally heritage turkeys you can feel their breast bone which is slightly prominent. A broad breasted will be round in the chest like those in the store. Make sure your Tom doesn't have his chest puffed up with air when you are checking him out.

If he is broad breasted, some have had luck limiting feed, and encouraging exercise. Some can live a bit longer this way.

 

[Kris5902]

Hoping he’s a smaller heritage breed for you... if you have a way to weigh him, fishing scale or such that might be helpful, or post some pictures of him?

 

[Kris5902]

If he is broad breasted, some have had luck limiting feed, and encouraging exercise. Some can live a bit longer this way.

It is sad that we breed meat animals in such an unsustainable way. Profit margins and marketability are more important than quality of life for the animal, and that they are bred not to survive past such a young age. Like the Cornish Cross chickens. Sometimes I wonder if the poultry industry has crossed lines they shouldn’t have to meet market demands.